Chapter 38

The afternoon went very well at the CERN facility, with Alex being the center of attention, and everybody being so nice and supportive of her. Leonard got his equipment ready, for resuming the testing on Monday, while Alex saved previously acquired data for him, and talking to sympathetic personnel working around them. Penny had been whisked off for a tour of the facility, by Dr Jan Blosch, no sooner that they arrived, which aggravated Leonard a little, but he trusted Penny, so he didn't let it bother him too much.

The director asked if anyone would take Dr Hofstadter's friend on a tour and Dr Jan Blosch could not be bothered until he saw Dr Hofstadter's friend. Jan saw the beautiful blonde that was Dr Hofstadter's friend and suddenly he felt like a tour director. As Jan introduced himself to Penny, he couldn't help think, where was Leonard getting all these beautiful women, were the women in California all this pretty? Jan had been to America before, but not California, so if they were all so beautiful in California, he needed to a vacation there soon.

Penny was honored by all the attention she got at the facility, because of Leonard, he seemed to be quite a celebrity there. The man they provided her for the tour was extremely handsome, seemed very nice and exceedingly charming. Penny was really enjoying the tour by this entertaining man and she was amazed at the size and complexity of the Supercollider. So it took over an half hour for her to realize that this handsome scientist was hitting on her. She now immediately took a disliking to Jan Blosch, she knew he knew Leonard because they addressed each other by first names, so he had to know she was with Leonard, yet he still thought he could hit on her. She felt it was an insult to Leonard and therefore an insult to her, she thought, 'Leonard is a better man than you ever will be.'

Jan was showing Penny a large part of the facility from one of the work platforms and they were both leaning against the guard rail looking down, when Jan decided to get a little closer to Penny. Jan put his arm around Penny and his hand on the rail, to her opposite side, his arm pressing slightly on her back. Jan was quite pleased with himself on his subtlety but obvious gesture to let this beautiful blonde know he was available and interested in her.

Penny was not amused, she was pissed, "What do you think you're doing!" she said, very loudly, as she looked him directly in the eye.

Jan was shocked at her response, but her eyes, she looked like she was going to kill him. He quickly moved his arm from around her and took a step back, scared, "I wanted….. to make sure you were safe."

Penny thought 'Safe my ass.' she saw a couple technicians around their area, who were now stopped, looking at them after Penny's outburst, she thought 'Good'. "You think trying to cop a feel of me is OK? What kind of pig are you?" She said loudly. Penny could see a couple of the technicians pointing and snickering.

Jan was stunned and confused, "I didn't…..I mean ….I'm sorry." he stammered out.

"The hell right you are sorry. You really think I would ever be interested in a dork like you?" She again said loudly, "I want to go back now!"

"Yes, Yes… Please follow me…..I'm sorry." Jan said quickly, leading Penny out and staying a meter away from her.

Penny tried to hide the small smile she had, as they left, as she heard some of the technicians laughing. This Dr Blosch was a handsome bad boy, the kind she dated so much of her life, when she was young, and when she thought those guys were something. Now with Leonard, she knew what a good guy was and she was not going to take any crap from that type again.

A few minutes later Penny arrived where Leonard was working, with a very subdued Dr Blosch following. Penny walked over to Leonard, and planted a long kiss on his lips, which did not go unnoticed by anyone in the room, especially Dr Blosch, who turned and left quickly.

Leonard was more than a little surprised that her tour was short, just over 30 minutes, but he was stunned by the kiss, "Penny, Um….can you catch me up?"

"Leonard, that Dr Blosch was a real ass. He took me back into the facility, then tried to put a move on me. I had him bring me right back." Penny said semi-loudly so everyone could hear.

Dr Droz, giggled, she always thought Jan was an ass, too. She walked over to Penny and Leonard, "Penny, I am Anna, I would be happy to show you the rest of the facility and along the way we can discuss what an ass Dr Blosch is." Anna said with a big smile.

Penny smiled, "Well thank you Anna, I would like that. Bye Honey." Penny gave Leonard another kiss and then followed Anna out of the room. A second or two later everyone hear Anna and Penny laughing, as they walked down the hall, to the rest of the facility.

Leonard had just completed his work when Alex showed back up with Dr Glauser, after visiting with everyone, she had worked previously, at the facility. She was happily chatting with Dr Glauser in French and Leonard was glad she seemed so happy after everything that happened the last 24 hours. Alex walked over directly to Leonard with Dr Glauser in trail.

"Leonard, the dinner is still on tonight, I'm feeling good, and I think I would like to go." Alex told him, she seemed back to her old self.

"Wow, you seem in good spirits." Leonard responded

"Everyone is so nice and I would like to see them all, one last time before I leave. Plus they are having pressed duck and I have never had pressed duck, it sounds good. And if I get tired or feeling bad, I can always leave, however, right now I feel pretty good." Alex told him, again smiling.

Leonard chuckled a little, "Whatever you want to do. It sounds like fun. I'm done here, so as soon as Penny returns, we can go back to the rooms to get ready."

"Good, Dr Glauser gave me the times and will pick us up, but we will have to squeeze three in the back seat, because Mrs Glauser will be with us." Alex told him.

Penny arrived, 10 minutes later, her and Anna laughing harder than when they left. "Have fun?" Leonard asked her

Penny smiled at him, "Very much. Dr Droz, is a very fun person." Penny then turned to Anna and gave her a wink, then both women giggled.

Alex, Leonard and Penny left the CERN facility 15 minutes after Penny's return and were back in their rooms, by 5 PM getting ready so that they could leave again at 6 PM.

Leonard took a very quick shower, had shaved and was now splashing on cologne, while in his boxer shorts, Penny was having a hard time keeping her eyes off of him. Seeing Leonard getting ready with her, like they were man and wife, reminded her again of Las Vegas, as a matter of fact it was just like Las Vegas, she thought, and she found herself longing for him again. She was having to tear herself away from watching him to get ready herself, when all she really wanted to do was get undressed, instead of dressed, and take him to bed. Penny finally was able to concentrate on what she was doing for about 15 minutes, until Leonard came up to her for help with his tie, 'God he looks so sexy', Penny thought, while trying to help him with his tie. Moving the tie around Leonard's shirt, adjusting his collar, and all the touching, of him, it took her to make the tie look right, took every bit of strength she had to not start kissing him and making out with him. Penny wondered if she was going to make it through the night, with him looking like that, she had not made love to him in weeks and she really wanted him.

Leonard was pretty much oblivious to what was going on with Penny, until she started to help him with his tie. She kept running her hand over his chest and when she adjusted his collar, she rubbed his neck with her fingers, plus several times he noticed her lick and bite her lips. Also, what did he see in her eyes, after she was done with his tie, was that lust? He had seen lust in her eyes, when she opened them, when they had made love before, but he had never seen her act like this while they did mundane things, like get dressed. He thought about asking her if something was going on, but thought he was just probably over thinking things again, so he just drove the thought from his mind and continued to get ready.

Penny and Leonard did manage to get dressed and ready before they needed to leave. So as soon as they were ready, Leonard looked at Penny, "I wonder how Alex is doing?"

Penny smiled at him, "I'll check," she then turned to the inter-room door and knocked, "Alex, it's Penny, can I come in?" Penny heard a 'Yes' from behind the door, from Alex, so she entered.

Alex was dressed and trying to put on makeup around her bandage on her head. She had removed the large gauze wrap that encircled her head and now had a large rectangular bandage covering her stitches.

Penny walked over to her, "Alex let me help you with that."

Alex was a little surprised, "You sure?" she asked sheepishly

'Yes. I can get it done a lot quicker, so you just sit and relax." Penny said smiling and putting Alex at ease.

Alex had most of her makeup base on, so Penny just had to finish and do the highlights, however, Penny decided to have a little fun with Alex's eyes. When Penny was done, Alex turned to look in the mirror and was stunned, Penny had made her blue eyes stand out with the highlighting she put around them. Her eyes were now the prominent feature on her face, so much so that she didn't even notice the bandage, which she quickly understood that was the effect Penny had been trying to accomplish.

Alex looked at Penny, "Thank You."

"No problem, Sweetie." Penny responded with a smile.

Alex then got serious and looked down at her hands, "I sorry, Penny, I didn't…"

Penny didn't need to hear all that Alex wanted to say and she didn't want Alex to start crying, "Did you know we were getting back together?" Penny asked

Alex shook her head, "I thought you had broken up."

Penny could see that Alex was a good person, Leonard would never be real friends with a bitch, although Penny thought she herself came close, "Alex I do hate you a little because you went after Leonard," Penny said, that more quietly, "But I understand why you did."

Alex nodded, so Penny continued. "Alex, I just want you to remember one thing, I love Leonard and I will fight for him."

Alex looked at Penny, a sort of understanding passed between them, Alex nodded and Penny thought that she wasn't going to cry after all. Alex just said, "Ok."

Penny now nodded, "Well are you ready? I think we probably need to go, our chariot awaits." she said with a little smile.

"I just have to grab my coat and I'm ready." Alex responded.

Penny and Alex came back through the inter-room door and both smiled at the expression on Leonard's face when he saw them, "You two look gorgeous!" he said, getting a giggle from both of them.

They were at the door, just in time, as Dr Glauser pulled up in his car, with his wife in the front seat. Alex, Penny and Leonard squeezed into the back seat, all of them feeling like high school kids taking a ride with their parents. Mrs Glauser did not have much in the way of English speaking skills, but her and Alex had a nice conversation in French, with Alex repeating everything to Leonard and Penny so they wouldn't be left out of the discussion. During the conversation, Mrs Glauser said something to Alex, that made Alex blush when she responded back, but she never told Leonard and Penny what was said, however Dr Glauser immediately said something to his wife and she just nodded. Penny and Leonard just looked at each other in confusion for a second, because it seemed like the discussion was about them, but then they pulled up to the restaurant, so the moment passed.

As they walked into the restaurant, Leonard had a second with Dr Glauser, "What happened a minute ago, Alex seemed embarrassed, and it seemed like you were talking about us?"

Dr Glauser smiled and nodded. "My wife asked, with two such beautiful young women and a handsome young man, who is the girlfriend or are both girlfriends. I told her Penny was your girlfriend and Dr Jensen your associate."

'Poor Alex', Leonard thought, then noticed Dr Glauser looking at him with a worried face, so Leonard smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

The restaurant was beautiful, it was definitely a elegant place, with well dressed waiters, a small live quartet and beautiful décor. Every man it there was in a suit and a few in simple tuxedo's and there was even a small dance floor. Penny, Alex and Leonard immediately fell in love with the place. Several of the CERN directors were present to greet them, and to Leonard's pleasure, devoted a lot of their attention to Alex. As a matter of fact, Alex was the center of attention for everyone there, which made Leonard really pleased.

When everyone seemed to be satisfied with greeting them, Alex, Penny and Leonard walked over to their table to take their seats. Leonard pulled Penny's chair out, for her to sit and Penny gave him her most loving smile for her handsome boyfriend. Penny then saw the full wine glass at her seat and took a sip, as Leonard helped Alex into her seat.

Penny's eyes got wide, "This wine is wonderful. I have never had anything so good."

Dr Glauser chuckled, "It is a very good year, I think the Directors are trying to impress Dr Hofstadter and Dr Jensen."

Alex made a similar comment in French and Mrs Glauser nodded and smiled. Alex then looked at Dr Glauser, "Sir, thank you for the complement but I am not a PHD yet, I am a PHD candidate only and I still have to do a dissertation before I can even be considered."

"Well I think being a co-author to my project, will qualify as a dissertation, to the department, Alex, so a couple more course credits and you will be there." Leonard said with a wink. Alex just stared at him, her eyes wide in shock.

Dr Glauser smiled and nodded, "At our universities, I would think so too." then he told his wife all that was said, to which, she nodded and smiled.

Alex was giddy the rest of the night.

The pressed duck was delicious, Penny had duck before, but this dish was nothing like she had ever had in her life. The evening was magical, with the wonderful meal, with all its courses, the wine, the elegant company and Leonard. While they waited for desert, several people got up to dance, the music being the type where they could hold each other close and dance slowly. A young man, their age, came up to Alex and asked her to dance, which she readily agreed, and before she could reach the dance floor, Leonard turned to Penny to ask her to dance.

Penny felt like a princess, with her handsome prince dancing with her, she was so happy. She held Leonard tightly and quickly had her head buried into his shoulder, content as she could be.

"Leonard, you wanted to dance, but didn't want to, unless Alex did." Penny said softly into his ear.

"I didn't want to leave her at the table alone, while we danced in front of her." Leonard said as softly, "Are you mad?"

"No, that was a sweet thing to do, that is one of the reason I love you, you care." Penny was now done talking, she laid her head back on Leonard's shoulder, so she could just enjoy the moment. She felt the same rush now dancing with Leonard, this night, as when she danced with him in Las Vegas. The soft music relaxed her, Leonard's arms around her made her feel loved and secure, his cologne intoxicated her, she didn't want any of it to end.

Leonard and Penny danced another couple dances, then went to their seats to enjoy their desert, which Penny couldn't believe how good it tasted. Alex never came back to her seat that night, she spent the night at another table, with the young man she danced with, and a group of other scientists, about her age, laughing and having a great time. Leonard was so glad Alex was getting so much attention and they were not, because him and Penny were really enjoying their alone time together. They spent most of the time after desert either, talking quietly to each other, talking to Dr and Mrs Glauser or dancing, holding each other tight. They both felt it was a special night and were both disappointed when it started to end.

The ride home was quiet, everyone was a little tired, from the wine, the food and the dancing. Mrs Glauser was talking quietly to her husband and Alex was looking out the window, humming the melody to one of the pieces of music she had danced so much to. Penny had her hand, opposite Alex, entwined in Leonard's hand and down between their legs, her thumb rubbing the side of Leonard's leg. Penny and Leonard were not talking but every so often would look at each other, their looks saying more than a thousand words could have done.

They arrived and the Hostel and spend a good five minutes thanking Dr Glauser and his wife for the evening, the girls both giving Mrs Glauser big hugs. Dr Glauser insisted on picking them up for the airport the next morning, so they made their plans, then wished the Glausers a safe trip home. Once they reached their rooms, Alex thanked Leonard and Penny for a wonderful night and their friendship and went in her room. Once in their rooms Alex peeked in the inter-room door and said she would be, OK, and then closed and locked her side of the door, Leonard did the same.

Penny and Leonard then walked deeper into the room and when Leonard turned to say something to Penny, he was instantly cut short by her wrapping her arms around his neck and planting her lips on his. Penny had been real careful how much wine she had drunk that night, because she wanted to enjoy this night with Leonard, so she only drank enough to feel good, but not dull her senses. Penny pressed her body to his and her tongue brushed against his teeth pleading to enter, she wanted him, now. Their kiss went on and on, Penny stared to run her hands through the hair on the back of Leonard's head, then started to moan, as she ground her body into his.

Penny and Leonard kissed, their tongues exploring each other mouths with urgency, then Penny removed her arms from Leonard's neck and started to remove his tie. It was hard to get his tie undone with her mouth pressed against his, but she managed, then she went for his shirt buttons and after those were done she pushed his shirt and jacket off of him. Penny then removed his pants, and when she had them off, she kicked off her shoes and started to work on her own dress.

Leonard was very excited, this was just like the time Penny wanted him when he came back from the North Pole, only better. He was extremely turned on by how Penny was acting and her enthusiasm, she had already stripped his suit off him, while never letting her tongue stop its passionate play with his mouth. He felt her reach for the zipper on her dress, so being a gentleman, he reached back and unzipped it, feeling in fall to the floor, and them he felt himself pushed onto the bed. Penny was on top of him, she pulled away from his lips, to a more sitting position, grinding her hips into him and staring to moan, Leonard then opened his eyes to see his beautiful girlfriend. He was stunned to see her face, her eyes closed and obviously lost in passion, he was also stunned to see her wearing a Wonder Woman bra and panties, he was in awe of her.

Penny removed her bra then leaned down until her hard nipples touched Leonard's chest, slowing moved herself up to his lips. The feeling of her nipples running along his chest was incredible, but then when he took one into his mouth, she felt the spasms of an orgasm taking over her. She didn't really feel Leonard roll her over on her back, but she came back when he started to kiss her neck, in the spot that drove her wild. She could feel her lust building inside her again, she gasped, "Leonard", and thought 'I love you so much', she whimpered, "Oh My God," she thought 'I want to be with you forever,' she moaned, "Oh Leonard, don't stop", thinking 'Leonard my darling, I need you so much' her passion increasing, building to another climax, her mind barely controlling her thoughts, then she thought and said, 'I love you', "please marry me."

Leonard stopped, pulling his lips away from her neck and looked at her in shock, "Did you just propose to me!"